Vadodara: A consumer forum in Narmada district rejected an insurance claim arising from a farmer’s snake-bite death, ruling that the cause of death originated before the insurance policy was bought, even though he died during the policy period.




Govind Maachi , a farmer, bought a Care Health Insurance Ltd policy with a cover of Rs 3 lakh on Sep 9, 2023. According to case records, he was bitten by a venomous snake while working on his farm on Sep 7, 2023. He was admitted to hospital but died on Sep 11.




After his death, his wife, Sangita Maachi , filed an insurance claim. The insurer rejected the claim, citing the policy conditions. Sangita approached the Narmada District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in March 2024.




The insurer argued that the snake bite , which led to Maachi’s death, occurred on Sep 7, when the policy was not in force.




The commission observed that although Maachi died after the policy was bought, the event that caused his death occurred before insurance cover came into effect.




The forum held that the cause of death originated on Sep 7 and said the complainant had bought the policy with the intention of claiming its benefits. It consequently dismissed the complaint.